Senior Systems Administrator / DevOps Engineer

Columbia Technology Partners, Inc; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Vision & Dental

Retirement 401k

PTO & Leave

Career growth

Life & AD&D Insurance/Disability

Profit sharing bonus

Referral program

Job summary

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator / DevOps Engineer to support a high-visibility mission environment and software engineering effort focused on transitioning advanced capabilities into a production-ready platform.

You will administer Linux-based systems (RHEL/CentOS) and support Kubernetes-based environments, while implementing automation with Bash, Python, Ansible, or Salt to ensure reliability, security, and scalability of containerized applications.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Linux Systems Administration or Systems Engineering experience in enterprise or mission-focused environments.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Linux systems, primarily RHEL/CentOS.
• Support Kubernetes platforms, including container management and orchestration.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system, application, networking, and infrastructure issues in a mission-critical environment.
• Implement automation and configuration management using Bash, Python, Ansible, or Salt.
• Support system hardening, security compliance, authentication services, and encryption/key management.
• Manage virtualized and physical server infrastructure, storage, and networking components.
• Collaborate with development, DevOps, and engineering teams to improve operational efficiency and platform reliability.

Skills

Linux systems

Kubernetes

Bash scripting

Python

Ansible

Salt

Security+

Tools

Kubernetes tooling

Docker

VMware

Salt

Ansible

Job description

Description

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator / DevOps Engineer to support a high-visibility mission environment and software engineering effort focused on transitioning advanced capabilities into a production-ready platform. This role supports critical infrastructure and services operating within a Kubernetes-based environment and offers the opportunity to work alongside development and engineering teams in support of mission-focused operations.

As a Senior Systems Administrator / DevOps Engineer, you will be responsible for administering, maintaining, and optimizing Linux-based systems supporting a classified enterprise environment. You will work closely with developers, engineers, and mission stakeholders to ensure system reliability, security, and scalability while supporting containerized applications and modern infrastructure technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Linux systems, primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS environments.
• Support Kubernetes platforms, including container management, orchestration, and related tooling.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system, application, networking, and infrastructure issues in a mission-critical environment.
• Implement automation and configuration management solutions using technologies such as Bash, Python, Ansible, or Salt.
• Support system hardening, security compliance, authentication services, and encryption/key management technologies.
• Manage virtualized and physical server infrastructure, storage systems, and networking components.
• Collaborate with development, DevOps, and engineering teams to improve operational efficiency and platform reliability.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Linux Systems Administration or Systems Engineering experience in enterprise or mission-focused environments.
• Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and/or CentOS systems within Kubernetes-based environments.
• Security+ certification and hands-on experience with Kubernetes and Bash scripting.
• Experience supporting classified or high-security networking environments is strongly preferred.

Desired Skills

• Red Hat certification.
• Python, Ansible, Salt, or VMware experience.
• Agile and DevOps methodologies.
• Experience with storage, networking, security compliance, authentication services, encryption technologies, and physical server administration.

Why Join CTP?

At Columbia Technology Partners, you'll support impactful national security missions while working with cutting-edge technologies in a collaborative, mission-focused environment. We offer challenging work, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to make a direct impact on critical operations.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. CTP is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Certification Requirements:

• CompTIA Security+ CE Certification Required

This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

About us

Founded in 2007, Columbia Technology Partners is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with a specialization in technology and management consulting committed to solving intricate and sensitive technology issues facing corporations and federal agencies. Since its inception, CTP has been instrumental in the technical design, engineering development, operational deployment, and support of key systems. With a proven track record in information security, project management, systems/network engineering, security risk management, vulnerability assessments, and mobile security implementation; our employees have the experience, expertise, and innovative thinking our customers need for results that exceed expectations. CTP staff have worked closely with both government engineers and management to gather mission requirements, develop the architecture to deliver the needed functionality and assess tools available to meet or exceed the needs of the mission.

At Columbia Technology Partners (CTP), we are united in being the best that we can be as individuals, but our core belief is that we can be better together. Together we will take on each mission with an execution process that authentically represents who we are. Our success relies on our team values, the foundation we built around them, and the Partners we become along the way.

That's why our pay is competitive, our missions are critical, and our benefits represent what matters most to CTP: Our People.

Salary Range Transparency

At Columbia Technology Partners we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. We believe in creating a work environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and rewarded for their contributions.

How We Determine Salary Ranges

Our salary ranges are based on the following key factors:

• Job Role and Responsibilities: The specific duties and responsibilities associated with each role form the foundation of our compensation structure.
• Market Research and Industry Benchmarks: We conduct regular analysis of market trends and salaries across our industry, using reliable compensation data to ensure we stay competitive.
• Experience and Qualifications: An individual's experience, education, certifications, and specialized skills all contribute to determining their position within a salary range.
• Location: Salary ranges may be adjusted based on geographic cost of living, in accordance with local and national standards.
• Company Performance: Our compensation practices also take into account overall company performance and financial health, ensuring that we maintain sustainability while rewarding our team.

Really good benefits, for really GREAT people:

From our CTP Family to yours, we know how important these decisions are. Your benefits are about you, not us. Tell us what you need in order to see a future at CTP; let's get where you're going, together.

Medical: CTP offers 3 superior plans, bringing our employees both in-network and out-of-network options.

Vision + Dental: Both free to you + paid in full by CTP.

Retirement: 401k - 6% company contribution

PTO + Leave: A work life balance is extremely important to our team here at CTP, which is why our paid time off plans are so lucrative. Offering customizable leave plans to meet your needs is just one of our many perks! Jury Duty, Bereavement + Military Leave provided.

Career Growth: Up to $10,000 provided for approved career-related learning, training, education, and/or tuition.

Life and AD&D Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: More peace of mind, at zero cost to you.

Profit Sharing Bonus: End of year cash gets added to your bottom-line.

Referral Bonus Program: Our tiered program provides an incentive with each stage of the hiring process your referral passes. Our bonuses range from $7,000-$20,000, if your referral joins the team.

CTP was voted one of the top 25 best places to work in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine!